Parenting in the pandemic

Parents of young
children share with NT BUZZ how
they have explained the coronavirus crisis

to their little ones
and are keeping them occupied

NT BUZZ

While most
of us are aware of the dangers of the deadly coronavirus, explaining the
enormity of the situation in simple terms to young children and why they can’t
step out of the house can be a tough task. Crankiness, boredom, and questions
galore are some of the issues they have to cope with.

Schools have introduced fun ways of washing hands and
have provided information on coronavirus in a much better format than us
parents. But children are curious to know our take on the virus too. As kids,
they ask different questions all the time. We should keep talking to them and
clearing their doubts as much as we can. I keep my kid busy by teaching her to
make homemade ice creams, some easy desserts, cookies, etc. She is also helping
out with household chores; cleaning her shoe rack and study drawers. We have
fancy dress sessions for our entertainment and play kids’ movies at home served
with popcorn. As adults, we panic and are overwhelmed with everything going on
around in the world. We should follow the guidelines issued by WHO but also,
like our children, enjoy the little things in life.

Jyoti Saxena, Porvorim,
mother of a six-year-old girl

My two daughters know about the novel coronavirus and the
havoc it has wreaked. They have understood the situation and are okay with it.
The first two days, however, were the most trying for them, as they wanted to
go out to play and dance. However, they both like to draw and keep themselves
occupied in that way in the morning. My older daughter especially is fond of
books and writing small scripts so the isolation hasn’t affected her as much.
The younger one is following her example. In the afternoon, they watch cartoons
and, in the evenings, we take them to the courtyard and show them birds and
butterflies. We then pray and a poem recital follows.

Girish Shirodkar,
Bicholim, father of girls aged nine and six, and a toddler

I’ve explained the situation to my son in a very calm
tone so that he isn’t scared but understands the gravity of the situation we
all find ourselves in. He has handled this brilliantly and though he spends
more time on gadgets now, he also helps me with chores around the house.

Jonquil Sudhir, Porvorim,
mother of a nine-year-old boy

This lockdown was a very weird situation for my kids as
they began wondering how they could be promoted to the next class without any
final exams. Since my kids were aware of COVID-19 through school, I did not
have much trouble explaining to them that they have to stay at home or use
masks and sanitiser. My kids are happy as now they get to spend time with both
their parents. We entertain them with indoor games, music, gardening,
television, household chores, and food. We play carrom or cards and this makes
them feel comfortable and secure.

Shraddha Gururaj
Dalal,
Taleigao, mother of eight-year-old twin girls

It is my son’s birthday in a few days’ time. Long back he
had told me that he wants colourful balloons for his birthday. However, the
other day he told me, “Mumma, I don’t want balloons and gifts for my birthday.
There is a big monster virus in the market and it’s very dangerous so we will
stay at home.” If a toddler can understand this, why can’t the so-called
educated adults be responsible and stay indoors?

Aarti Nayak, Margao,
mother of a four-year-old boy

My son was very happy when he learned that he would get a
long vacation in advance without answering his exams but was very disappointed
that he was not allowed to go out and play with his friends. I explained to him
that since there is a wave of germs floating in the air outside, he and his
friends would fall sick. Now he and his elder sister spend their time
sketching, playing carrom, and watching television. I also keep him occupied
with storybooks. He even helps me in watering the plants and keeping his room
neat. He is waiting for germs to clear up so that he can go out and play with
his friends like before.

Neelam Dalvi,
Fatorda, mother of a nine-year-old
boy and a 13-year-old girl

I’m a little lucky because my kids fit into the age group
bracket where they don’t actually understand what is going on. They love the
idea of being home with us. We do a lot of puzzles, art and craft. We spend the
early evening in the yard playing football, tag, etc. My husband and I make a
lot of activity sheets for them. It helps keep my son in touch with the
concepts they study in school. We also do a lot of reading and baking in the
afternoon. We’ve reserved the television for an ‘in case of emergency break
this glass’ situation.

I have explained to my daughter that there are some big
germs outside and people can fall sick if they go out. She keeps repeating this
to us if we ask her why she can’t go out. While it’s mostly working, sometimes
she asks if the germs are gone and she can go out to play in the park. She also
wants to go to the window to check if anyone is roaming outside. She engages in
colouring, drawing and some school practice work activities, besides playing
with her toys. We also sit with her and read books and play ludo. She does get
cranky though from time to time. Also, with regards to food, she is bored of
the same thing and wants variety which is now difficult to source.

Carol Saldanha,
Panaji, mother of a four-year-old girl

Fortunately, my daughters didn’t have any problem with
staying at home. They clearly understood the reason. Both of them seem happy
playing with each other. In the mornings, they are learning things like
quilling and cooking dishes. My wife is also teaching them to perform various
tasks needed in day-to-day life like putting on the washing machine, cleaning
prawns, grating coconut, washing utensils, mopping and sweeping. Parents can
use this golden opportunity to teach kids such vital life skills and it is also
a great time for family bonding. In the evenings they watch television for some
time. I also play card games and read out some stories to them. We also watch
some movies together.

Amey Hegde,
Margao, father of girls aged five and 10

While my son and daughter play in the hall, it’s getting
tough to get them to distance themselves socially. They are bored and can’t
play with other children. They are catching on sleep too, but I have to be a
tyrant and yell and shout because despite knowing what’s happening they are not
taking it very seriously. But I’m happy that they are not panicking.

Laxman,
Siolim, father of a five-year-old boy
and a nine-year-old girl

My son is coping well as he has understood that if he
doesn’t follow good habits, he could fall sick and it could be fatal. We have
shown him videos about the spread of the virus and shown him visually how he
needs to stay at home and avoid direct contact with people.

Ashley Delaney,
Saligao, father of a six-year-old boy

My kids have understood the current scenario and keep
washing their hands. I have explained to them about the virus with a practical
demo of pepper powder in water and what happens when they wash their hands.

Leevlyn Pereira, Saligao,
mother of a six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl

Explaining the situation to my kids has been one of the
toughest things. In my son’s case, there is no problem, he is young and as long
as he can play on the lawn, he is fine. My daughter though has been longing to
leave the house to visit her grandmother. She also asks me a lot of questions
about coronavirus like where it came from, how some people have recovered even
though there is no medicine, etc. I have explained to her that those who did
not listen, didn’t take care of themselves, and went out of the house – they
are the ones who got it. I keep updating myself on what’s happening in the
world and explain the same accordingly to her.

Alister Gomes,
Siolim, father of a two-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl